Book Review: Dark Horses by Susan Mihalic

 

GOODREADS SUMMARY:

Fifteen-year-old equestrian prodigy Roan Montgomery has only ever known two worlds: inside the riding arena, and outside of it. For as long as she can remember, both have been ruled by her father, who demands strict obedience in all areas of her life. The warped power dynamic of coach and rider extends far beyond the stables, and Roan's relationship with her father has long been inappropriate. She has been able to compartmentalize that dark aspect of her life, ruthlessly focusing on her ambitions as a rider heading for the Olympics, just as her father had done. However, her developing relationship with Will Howard, a boy her own age, broadens the scope of her vision.

At the intersection of a commercial page-turner and urgent survivor story, Dark Horses takes the searing themes of abuse and resilience in Gabriel Tallent’s My Absolute Darling and applies the compelling exploration of female strength in Room by Emma Donoghue. In much the same way that V.C. Andrews’s Flowers in the Attic transfixed a generation of readers, Susan Mihalic’s debut is set to a steady beat that will keep you turning the pages.

TEE'S THOUGHTS

Dark Horses by Susan Mihalic is much like a train wreck, by this I mean it is uncomfortable, you want to look away, but you can’t. Again I stress, this book is UNCOMFORTABLE, it is dark and disturbing, but it is also a stunningly written great read.

It is the story of Roan Montgomery, who is a champion on the horse riding circuit. She is coached by her father Monty, who himself is an Olympic medal winner in the sport. I would have never thought I would have read a book about a girl and a horse…I know nothing about horses, yet Mihalic’s writing made the technical parts of the competition and the terminology on horses easy to follow.

So why is the business of horse competitions dark and uncomfortable? It is because it is what happens off the horse circuit, what happens behind the closed doors of Roan’s home. Your home is a place you should feel comfortable and safe, but not Roan who is emotionally and sexually abused by her father.

I give Mihalic respect for tackling such a difficult subject and doing so well. She will physically make your skin crawl, her writing is that raw. Maybe she wanted the reader to feel the emotions, know what a horrid act this really is, and if she didn’t set out to actually do that with the book, she did a damn good job stumbling into it without trying.

This book is full of emotion from the very beginning, it is a very compelling story that is filled with emotions that will disgust you and crush your soul at times. Roan’s father Monty used several types of abuse to keep her under his control and himself. He was a master at mind games, such as selling her prized horse when she showed a bit of defiance and independence by cutting all her hair off. He always made sure Roan knew he was in charge.

But there is also light in this book, however dim it may seem as you are reading. Will Howard, a boy Roan goes to school with and seems to care greatly for, takes her on a journey she has never experienced and her housekeeper who cares for her like a mother would. Mihalic has created very well-developed characters, both main and secondary. There were times I didn't understand Roan’s actions and how at times I felt she just continued to let it happen, I had to force myself to realize that I know nothing of what it is like in a situation like that, nor how I would act.

Despite all the abuse in Dark Horses, I enjoyed this book ( I say that in the same way, I say I enjoyed Schindler List ), definitely not enjoyable as far as subject matter, but definitely very eye-opening. Susan Mahilic has written a stunning debut, one that will keep you engrossed until the end. One that will make your feelings run deep and one that will stay with you.

** Warning…triggering subjects such as sexual abuse, mental abuse, drug use, and animal cruelty